Chancellor’s decision comes amid calls from new Tory MPs for project to be scrappedSajid Javid is expected to throw his weight behind the controversial HS2 rail project at a key meeting on Thursday, after the Treasury concluded it will still deliver economic benefits despite spiralling costs.The chancellor is poised to tell Boris Johnson and Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, that he believes the sums still add up despite the price tag having risen to an estimated £88bn. Continue reading...

Sajid Javid said ‘no self-respecting minister’ could accept the PM’s terms to stay in governmentBoris Johnson...

Sajid Javid said ‘no self-respecting minister’ could accept the PM’s terms to stay in governmentBoris Johnson has moved to seize control over the Treasury in an unexpectedly brutal reshuffle that forced out his chancellor, Sajid Javid, and paves the way for a post-Brexit spending bonanza at the budget.Johnson staged the power grab over No 11 by issuing an ultimatum to his chancellor to fire all his advisers – a move that Javid later said “no self-respecting minister” could accept. Continue reading...